FIFA all set for Technology use, what's in store for The Beautiful Game

Demand to use technology to aid referees in a football match has taken centre stage from time to time for almost two decades now, more so during and after any tournament. For an equally long period Football’s governing body FIFA has rejected it outright. Most of the football fans fail to understand the archaic stand of the governing body when the same has been revolutionary in other sports. Ask fans of any side at the receiving end of human error, the pain of defeat is temporary but the agony of getting eliminated due to one poor call by the referee lingers on for ever.

Even after the howlers by referees in England-Germany and Argentina-Mexico match in Quarter Finals of WC 2010, (many would argue these horrible errors were turning points of the match), FIFA president Blatter maintained the stance that human error should be part of the game. Not that these were one off mistakes of the WC. These got more coverage due to the matches played in highly charged atmosphere between old foes. The list of errors at this WC particularly is unending. Numerous off side goals have been allowed, many a hand ball has been missed. Marching order given at slightest touch while many players have been let off with mild warnings for deliberate and dangerous tackles.

Goal line technology will ensure such injustice is not repeated

Under pressure amidst calls to introduce technology to ensure fair results, FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke said the 2010 tournament will be the last to be played under the existing refereeing system. What will change is not very clear as FIFA will decide the scope of technology use at its meeting later this year. But what it does mean is that England’s Howard Webb may very well be the last referee to officiate a World Cup final without the aid of technology.

This brings us to the main issue, how much of technology is good for the “Beautiful Game”?

Many advocates use of video replays for every contentious activity on field la cricket, a kind of Third Umpire and UDR system. Now this is what I personally dread and is perhaps the reason of FIFA’s hesitation. Unlike Tennis or Cricket where the technology has been put to use with high success rate, in a field game like football it’s not that straight forward.

Football is all about fluidic rhythm and seizing the momentum. Any break in the game to put technology to use will prove disastrous and kill the interest in game. Some of the best skills are displayed when teams counter attack. The real adrenalin rush is when you see the prey turn into predator within seconds. Many beautiful goals are scored during this phase. A referral system like UDRS too will prove equally unproductive as it will set the game back. Remember this year’s Hockey WC in India?

In one of the league matches, India scored in a counter attack when the deferred referral was used by opposition. The opponents were given a penalty corner which they duly converted while India’s goal was declared null and void. Imagine having such a scenario in England –Argentina football match. Once you give it a thought, video referral is a big no no as that will be the end of flowing game we all love to watch. And for all you know, if introduced it will be leading to advertisement timeouts (like IPL) causing even more nuisance.

But what technology has an answer to the Satanic Hand (of Suarez)

This is not to suggest that status quo be maintained. Reforms are necessary. Use of goal line technology (Tennis style) is a given considering Lampard’s disallowed goal caused the recent outrage. Using Hawk Eye, this will also be instant. Also use of two extra officials positioned at two ends of the pitch will reduce the dubious line calls as already tried at Europa League. Also, I think instant replays at stadiums should not be allowed. Referees are not supposed to refer them, so what is the point of making him look stupid in front of players and audience when he makes a judgmental error.

Let’s not forget a referee is generally the oldest man running on the field so he will not actually mind a little help through more personnel or technology. After all who wants to be a villain for a game one has little if not zero stakes.

P.S. : God forbid if Video Replay is introduced, Arjen Robben, the greatest actor ever to take a football field, will have to retire. Touch him with a finger and he will go down as if hit by a Hummer. Fans will miss his play acts. No?